Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Kaari Meng of French General to the Jolly Jabber. Kaari’s latest fabric collection is Rouenneries Deux for Moda Fabrics.

Q:
What was the first seed that grew into the Rouenneries Deux collection?
A:
My inspiration for Rouenneries Deux, besides the original Rouenneries collection, is an old abandoned chateau in the South of France.

Every summer, while visiting one of my favorite towns near Toulouse, I drive by this old mansion and wonder who lived there and what stories the house has to tell. Even though no one has lived there for years, I imagine it was once filled with beautiful textiles that covered the beds and hung from the windows.

Q:
If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list?
A:
Something French, probably sung by Edith Piaf, like La Vie en Rose.

Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite?
A:
That's not fair - because I love so many of the prints in this collection and I especially love them all together! But, if I had to choose one, it might be Tournesal Rouge, which was my favorite print from the original collection and continues to be a classic for me.

Q:
What is your favorite project you have made using this collection?
A:
I love our new quilt, Parisian Courtyard, designed by Penny Tucker. It is simple and French without being overly fussy. I think the fabrics all complement each other perfectly.

Q:
If this collection had a scent to it, what would it be?
A:
Lavender, lavender and more lavender!

Q:
Can you give us a sneak-peek of your next fabric collection?
A:
My next fabric collection is called Petite Odile and it is inspired by the prints found in a little French girl's armoire - sweet, yet sophisticated - perfect for today's little girl's room.

Q:
If you had a mascot, what animal would it be?
A:
I've never thought of that before - but if I had to have a mascot, it would have to be one of my two cats - Johnny or Boots. They are both big lovers, yet very elusive - very French!

Q:
Who is your favorite celebrity?
A:
My favorite celebrity is Sophia Loren - who we named our daughter after.

Q:
If we were making a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
A:
I have no idea - hopefully if you ever make a movie about my life you will call me!!

Q:
Who is your favorite fabric designer not including yourself?A:
I have so many favorite designers - how to choose just one?! In the quilting industry, I enjoy Amy Butler's style and freshness. We have grown up in this business together and I think we share a certain curiosity - while continually trying to stay true to our own unique style.

*****

And now, it's time for a giveaway! We will be giving away 5 Rouenneries Deux Charm Packs to one winner!

To enter comment on this post answering this question: What is the most "French" thing in your life?
You have one week till contest closes.
Good Luck!

The most "French" thing in my life was my paternal grandmother Bertha Maude. She was a French-Canadian. :) I would love to make the hanging notions organizer in Kaari's Home Sewn book from this collection.

I cook fondue, crepes and souffles on a semi regular basis. I love Paris and medieval villages and cathedrals. My Dad was the CO of a German prisoner of war camp in France during WWII.(for captured Germans, no torture involved.) He said he liked the regular German soldiers but the Nazi officers were real pains.Love the colors and patterns in Rouenneries Deux. Thanks,

The most French thing in my life is the wonderful city I call home: New Orleans. As soon as I saw the new Parisian Courtyard pattern, I knew I had to make it, as the fleur de lis is the symbol of la Nouvelle-Orleans.

The most French thing in my life is my son's 2 years of taking French in high school and my helping him study the words. I still go around saying "un, do twa" sorry for the spelling, I can't remember it.

Wow...tough question for someone who doesn't travel. Sooo...I'd have to say the most french thing about my life, besides my love of every single French General fabric collection, is two movies I love, that focus on Paris. First is "French Kiss" with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline and the other is "Something's Gotta Give", Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. Then of course there is my love of the Eifle Tower. It's not much, but there you have it. I would LOVE to see Paris and the French countrysides, try the cheeses and pastries...but I don't fly, ever. A girl can dream though can't she?

Hmmm.... French?.... Oh, I know-- one of my FAVORITE quilts that I've made is called "French Rose"-- it's so pretty and dainty.... :-) Love La Vie en Rose.... :-) Thank you for the chance to win these gorgeous French General Charms!! OH, I HOPE I am lucky this time!!!! :-) Je croise les doigts!

The most French thing in my life is my "stripey top" drawer. Bought in France and at home here in Scotland. No matter how many seem to appear there, my kindly husband never makes the obvious comment.... "another?!"

The most french thing in my life currently is SNOW !!!! https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zov-ZbNO3JWuLbVSu-IKE9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

We are expats living in rural France, have been at -10C for at least the last 9 days and this is the picture from our lounge window, snowbound and have one water tap in the whole house, but still life here is fantastic, the bread van hasn't got around to us yet but his cakes and baguettes still make me swoon :O)

I laughed so much when I was your question, where do I start... my house, my garden, the food, my friends...have you guessed yet...I LIVE IN FRANCE!! Love love love French General thanks for the chance to win. Linda

my daughter who studied the language throughout high school and into her college years - she took me to France on a visit and I was so impressed with her handling of the language - she insisted that I learn key phrases as well - would do it again in a second

My friend Jeanne, who leads quilt tours to France every year. Check out Scrap Basket Tours. She has lived in France, speaks the language and is a fantastic quilter. I have been lucky enough to go three times. I treasure the fabric and souvenirs I have brought home. I'm sure that's why I love the French General line.

This is a tough one...I live in Canada (actually right next to Quebec) and my Mom's family is French Canadian...so I have lots of french Heritage. In fact my Memere (grandmother)can trace her lineage back to France in 1020! My husband and I spent a wonderful week in France a couple of years ago and I loved it. The food, people, history and atmosphere. I wish I was back there.

I love listening to French music - I search through YouTube and watch the videos....I only wish I knew what they were saying! I'm saving $$ to take a class in French Conversation this Fall at the local community college - I just love the beautiful sound of French language!!

The most French thing in my life is my Fig Tree. We bought it after I fell in love with the smell of it while in the South of France. Because of our different climate, our tree doesn't smell so much, but I do like to stick my nose between the leave and dream about France!

I am sad to say that the most French thing in my life at the moment is French Toast and French's mustard!! (not together LOL) Although I did spend 2 weeks in Paris last year and loved it!! And I love that picture of the mansion..I want to live there!!thanks for the generous give away!

Lavendar Sachets that I am stitching for valentines day for my 3 teenage daughters........that's about as French as I get, besides the American version of French bread. hehehe.......Love your fabric though and can dream of lots to do with it.....I would love to do my bedroom totally in French General..it's so beautiful.

The most French thing in my life is my wonderful college-student son who is taking his last course in French this semester. He doesn't get mentioned much on the Quilting blogs, so thanks for that opportunity! Thanks also for the chance to win!

I guess the closest thing to anything french in my life would have to be the movie Chocolate. I could watch that movie once a week, I don't, but I could. Thank for the chance to add a little french inspired fabric to my life!

Uh, I hate to admit it and it may seem a bit (awkward, embarrassing, naive, dumb, lame; take your pick) but French kissing is about as French as I get. I hate to say that I don't know much about the French culture and that's something that needs to be remedied.

I guess the most french thing in my life is that I absolutely LOVE chocolate croissants. I used to live in a little town that has a bakery that makes the most delicious ones....my mouth is watering right now!Tami

Hi! For me the most french thing in my life is lavender. Smell of it remind me Provance (ceramic cicada and lavender sachet). And of course the French laces & ribbons and the French fabrics are very important part of my life too :o)Warmest wishes to all of youNatasha

The most french thing in my house is a mini quilt top out of Petite Ecole waiting to be quilted and my collection of honey buns from the first collection of Rouenneries. I have just the project in mind for it, but have to finish up some others first. Soon though, very soon!

pop served in france during ww1, while there, he got a violin that he played with great enthusiasm and skill ... that violin made the rounds of neighbor kids when they had lessons at school. when it was our turn for lessons, we were dismal violinists; pops musical talents skipped a generation. my older daughter got the musical talents [the only one of eight grankids] she played pop's violin with verve and great skill, but prefers the cello. neither of her kids or her two grankids have the talent

I guess the most French thing in my life are the memories I have from when I did study abroad in the UK and traveled to Paris for the weekend :) And I just bought some fabric with the Eiffel tower on it to make a quilt to remember my awesome trip! :)

The most French thing is.... my playing cards bought in Paris in 2008 when there on holiday. There is a piece of fabric that I bought there too that I have stashed because I can't work out what to make out of it.

My son is a musician and plays a Loree oboe made in France. He plays music for me and I quilt for him. A wonderful exchange of artistic talent. We both do what we love and love what we do. Can't get much better than that!

Lots of recipes, and favourite cheeses - but then, I do live in the UK just two hours travelling time from Paris. But my favourite French thing is my annual three-week timeshare in the Languedoc in May - just fabulous!

Apart from some pieces of French General fabric, I think the most French thing in my life would be a striped navy and white top I have, which is very similar to one my sister-in-law brought from Paris ;) Oh, and a tiny Eiffel Tower she brought me.

The most French thing in my life is a loaf of french bread, brie and a bottle of wine AFTER cycling. Unless of course you want to consider handmade french chocolate truffles and your sewing machine on a rainy afternoon. Either way, the French influence is very obvious.

Haha, the most French thing in my life is the enduring phrase my mother repeated to us when we were young and had tough challenges: "Courage, Camille!" from a play by Alexander Dumas. That, and Pain au chocolat whenever I get the chance. Lovley fabric and fantastique to meet the designer!

Hi! Thanks for the giveaway!Sorry, but I have 3 favorites!:my married name. My husband's family came from France in 1692 as Marquis de Le Gros as an officer in the army as his oldest brother inherited the family business and winery! All the people in Canada and the USA are related!2. The Eiffle Tower, which is near the top on my bucket list to see in person!3. Anything French General! I'm working on my Scrappy Plates with Oh La La!Take care, Leslie

I guess the most french thing in my life is my collection of French General fabrics. I fell in love with French General the first time I saw the line. And I would love to add Charm packs to my yardage :-)

The lace from a trip to Paris that I made into curtains, and a jar for sugar from that same trip - it says "Poubelle de table" - garbage scraps, but I love it, even with the little chip on the edge. VermontPines at aol dot com

Thank you so much for this interview! I love French General Moda fabrics!!I visited France twice, one time me and my dear friend went to L'Aiguille en fête in Paris 3 year ago - and I had wonderful memories about it, and some sewing and stitching books and kits too :) Fantastic time!

The most French thing in my life would be my husband. His maternal ancestors came from France and settled in New Orleans, and his 4-times-great grandfather was one of the men that negotiated the Louisiana Purchase.

The most French thing in my life is me! Not that I'm French, really, but my great-grandmother was born in Paris and I'm claiming that tenuous link...plus, I've been in love with France my whole life, have visited three times, and spent a whole month there in 2010.

Oh, I love Rouenneries. I would be très heureuse if I were to win a charm pack!

Would have to be the cheeses in my fridge. I'm addicted to Brie and Chevre. And French toast, but only if it's made with day old French bread. My world sort of revolves around fabric and food...not that it's obvious or anything.

Hanging on my kitchen wall, I have a rack of colorful handmade pottery mugs from Alsace, France. I pick a different color & drink my coffee from them every morning. They make me smile every morning! (I'm drinking from the green one right now.....)

Hmm...I think that the most french thing in my life is my lavender plant which I bought three years ago. It's growing very slowly. I can't blame it for being slow since the poor plant is very far away from it's original 'home'. My lavender plant is growing in finnish soil in Finland.I'm hopeful about the future since last summer my lavender made it's first flower and the smell was lovely.

The most French thing in my life right now has to be my common dinners of wine, bread and cheese. Once I put my 2 girls down to bed I go downstairs and read while having some wine, cheese and good bread. It's so nice to get a little alone time and I feel like I am spoiling myself a little bit.Thanks,Erinemstone28@gmail.com

I think the most french thing in my life is my dog, she is a french poodle! Also, for lunch I love to have something simple like cheese & fruit. I would love to win the charm packs as I love, love, love all the French General fabrics. Thank you for the chance to win some of this beautiful fabric.

My hubby, he has a French heritage. I inherited the family dishes which came with the family from France.I recently gave them to my daughter who loves all things french. And recently found I am also because my sister did a genealogy. That makes us a French couple..happy valentines!

Not much French here except an old favorite dog, french bread with a good homemade soup and maybe a glass of good french wine. Love the French General fabrics though and would love to win. Then I would have something French around here. Thanks for the give away.

The most french thing in my life is a small drawing of the Eiffel Tower that I bought in Paris when I was 15. I was there as an exchange student. I wish I had the opportunity to go back as an adult because I really didn't realize at the time what a wonderful opportunity it was. LOL! Thanks for the opportunity to win!=)

The most French thing I have is a clock that I made using a photo (that I took) of the Eiffel Tower and other French embellishments. It's in my sewing room and reminds me of the trip I took to France in 2001. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Greetings from Northern Saskatchewan CANADA! Our country is a bilingual country so everyone takes French in school. When I was there it was Grade 7 - 10. When my children were there is was all they way through. Now our small community even has a French immersion program like the bigger centers.We love french toast - especially with Maple Syrup from Quebec that we get from friends!Thanks for the chance to win!Catherine

The most French thing in my life is probably my husband, who took French in college and he loves the humble fry, any way you make them! I obviously need a little help and would love to win the giveaway!!

The most French in my life was the French I took in high school a century ago (well not that long ago) and years later friendship I made with the French teacher, Anne, who was the first person to visit our daughter at our home when she was born. Anne has been gone for years, probably would be 110 now but what a great lady and a great teacher! Thanks for helping me remember Anne, the French teacher!!!

The most French thing in my life is my very favorite pavilion at World Showcase in Epcot, at Walt Disney World, and that is the France Pavilion. I absolutely love walking the gardens, listening to the music, and watching "Impressions de France", not to mention eating at the wonderful "Chefs de France". Going back in three months! Can't wait!!!

I thought this would be easy, but upon reflection its not. My husband is French, born in Quebec, but he really doesn't speak it much any more as we live in the U.S. He has even confessed to thinking in English. My dd understands French but doesn't really speak it much, soooo, I guess the most french thing in my life, besides the lovely little quilt I made with fabrics from Provence would be my wonderful in-laws, who are both native Montrealers.

The most French thing in my life at the moment are my reproduction antique French laundry basket which is still holding the poinsettias left from Christmas, my Le Cruset pots, and the brie in my refrigerator.

The most thing in my life is my daughter, who studied French all through school, studied/lived in France during college, and continues to amaze me by retaining all her French all these years in spite of living in the US. Every other book she reads is in French! She doesn't have the time to sew, but I would love to make her a beautiful quilt with these French General Charm Packs!